In the past I’ve struggled to find some hops come summer time. This year, now as the 2011 hops hit the shelves, I am considering buying certain hops in volume. How many people here stock pile there hops? Who just buys on a just-in-time basis?
It’s funny because I only buy base grain by the sack now a days but never any other ingridients even though I brew enough that storage time probably isn’t an issue so long as I keep inventory age in mind when planning what to make.
I harvested about 5 lb. (after drying) of my own Cascades. I ordered 3-4 lb. of other hops (lb. of each). But I still have a total of maybe 20-22 lb. of other hops from the last few years vacuum sealed in the freezer .
Yep, buy grain in bulk, buy hops in bulk. I usually get several pounds from Hopsdirect in the Fall and live off that. I only buy onesie-twosies when I need a very specific hop that I’m not going to use enough of to make a bulk buy effective.
Totes to that.
Me too, I have about 10 lbs of hops in my freezer right now. It makes sense for my favorite varieties, and like hokerer I supplement with other varieties as needed/desired.
yep - i was on the sites first day and glad I was - amarillo was up and gone in a day at HD.
I have about 7lbs in the freezer now, but I ordered another 6lbs or so - I am fairly confident with my new brewhouse I’ll be brewing more, as well as I have been enjoying much larger dryhop amounts recently (4-5oz per 10gal), so I think my usage will go up.
I just ordered a few pounds of various hops myself. I have several pounds of assorted hops from '09 and '10 still vacuum sealed in my freezer, but I like to purchase some fresh inventory each year… mostly for dry hopping my IPA’s and APA’s.
I brewed on that day, and when I was done about 2:30, the Amarillo, Citra, Simcoe and Centennial were gone (assuming they were all there in the AM). Ordered a 8 oz. Amarillo and 1 lb Centennial from Freshops.
My freezer is just about full from orders I made late last year and homegrown hops. Need to start brewing hoppy beers to make room for the European hops come the first part of 2012.
I have at least a few pounds on hand at any one time, 4-8oz of any one variety. Its nice to set yourself up this way, my experience is that the hops stay good for a couple of years at least.
I have the advantage of buying from a supplier that buys in bulk and resells retail (2,4,8oz) at reasonable prices. It gives me access to stuff that is occasionally unavailable via other sources. I’ve got Amarillo and Simcoe in the freezer right now for example.
Whay are these hops in short supply? And Centennial? Thats an even more “standard” hop isn’t it?
buy amarillo and simcoe while you can…
8oz (max limit) amarillo
16oz simcoe (32oz max limit)
from freshops today…
Good topic. I just bought a few ounces of Saaz, Cascade and Tettnanger. Wast thinking of buying in more bulk but was not sure if they would keep well, even vaccuum sealed.
What about in the bottom of my lagering fridge at 36F. Is that good or should I freeze them?
Yeah, I went to my LHBS last week and stumbled into whole Simcoe and Nelson Sauvin pellets. Snagged 3/4 pound of Simcoe and 1/2 lb of NS. Not really stockin up but I bought what I could get my hands on. Really love the pop on both these varieties.
They keep great if vac sealed and frozen - up to a couple years.
I don’t know that I would keep them at the bottom of a lagering freezer - mine tends to pool condensation from time to time.
Gotta love the forum and my fellow homebrewers!
Just went on HopsDirect and bought a pound each of Cascade, Czech Saaz and Tettnanger leaf hops. 
Dave
You are aware that the Czech Saaz are from last year? Are the Tett US Tett (2011) or German Tett (2010)? The origin will have a big influence.
The European hops are on line after the New Year. Customs and all that.
Stock up, yes. 7-8 lbs. left from last year. Just placed an order for about 10 more lbs. The dearth of C hops @ HopsDirect is a bummer… :o
I still have almost a pound of amarillo in the freezer from last year. Same with Mt. Hood. I’ll need more Saaz, EKG, and Fuggles in month or two. Some other odds and ends as well. I’ll probably hold off on ordering anything for the moment. No more space.
Pretty much in the same boat. Even though I usually get a few pounds this time every year, in addition to the opened partial pounds from last year, I’ve still got two unopened Hopsdirect pounds (Cascade & Magnum). Probably no more for me this season either.
Same as just about everyone else…I buy several pounds of my most commonly used hops this time of year. In fact, I just picked up some Simcoe and Citra from Freshops the other day. I’m waiting on placing my big order until HD puts their pellets on sale. Planning on getting pounds of Citra, Amarillo, Cascade, and depending on my current supply, some Northern Brewer, GR Magnum, Hallertau Mittelfrau, and EKG.
I was not aware of this. Figured it was 2011. I know it’s impossible to tell exactly, but do you think there will be a good amount of lost AA?